Pittsfield murder case continued in anticipation of plea

PITTSFIELD — A Pittsfield man accused in his girlfriend’s death has been granted a continuance to March 26, with a plea agreement possibly in the works.

The defense attorney for David Sampley, 63, of Pittsfield requested a continuance Tuesday to allow for negotiations to continue with the state. Pike County State’s Attorney Zachary Boren said that after meeting with the family members of the victim, a formal offer for a plea agreement was given.

“Whether we will or won’t reach an agreement, I don’t know,” Boren said. “We have made a formal offer. It will be up to him to decide whether or not to take it.”

Sampley’s next court date is set for 11 a.m. March 26.

Police were called June 4 to a domestic dispute on Clarksville Road and found Sharon K. Welch, 61, of Pittsfield unresponsive. She later died at Illini Community Hospital.

Police and court records indicate Welch had been strangled. A sock had been forced into her mouth, she had been walked upon and was sexually assaulted.

Sampley was initially charged with aggravated domestic battery and then later with aggravated criminal sexual assault of a victim over the age of 60 and first-degree murder following Welch’s autopsy.

Sampley was found unfit to stand trial June 25, being lodged at the McFarland Mental Health Center for evaluation and treatment. He was not determined to be fit for trial until Jan. 22 but remains in the mental health center.

He could face a 20 to 100 years in prison if convicted of the murder charge, with possible extension because of the age of the victim and previous domestic battery convictions.

Nick Draper can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1223, or on Twitter @nick_draper.